I did what few do, and realized I had 'enough', enough to provide me with a middle class income for the rest of my life. So I quit the high bucks finance job at 44. House was paid for. Still earned some income, volunteered at various places, and am now drawing a pension (not CP) at 67, still fine. I feel no guilt about taking as long as I want reading the NP, putter in the garden, read, take walks, and, oops! don’t watch tv. You job isn’t your identity.
A very appros and timely piece. I find myself enjoying more and more the days of unscheduled nothingness or what I refer to as “putsing around”. I yearn more for quiet days than those scheduled and, yes, prioritizing keeping the “old man” at bay. Thanks for writing this … now to enjoy my hot morning coffee and contemplate how un-busy I can be today :-)
Perhaps distant years will see us slowly strolling around a piazza with our hands clasped behinds our backs - like a couple old Italian dudes, with nothing more urgent to do than talk about the weather.
Those of us who have "retired" successfully can relate to your well expressed "Personal Story". Getting off that spinning "merry-go-round" driven by a world that seeks to squeeze and conform us into its mould can become a new opportunity to pause, re-group and re-discover our unique personal identity. What a gift!
This is an excellent article that I greatly enjoyed reading.
I think we are exact opposites. I retired at age 75 after approximately 50 years of practising law. I was having so much fun that I retired with some trepidation. What could replace practising law? There is no single answer, but I have found several. Grandchildren. Friends old and new. Wildlife photography trips with my wife in Antarctica and the Arctic. Moving from Toronto to the West Coast and building a new home in a rural area. Writing a blog. Still reading a bit of law and writing about it. At age 82, walking up and down hills daily, and working out with weights. And of course, reading Substacks, including the Pragmatic Canadian.
This is a great article. I think many who retire just trade one set of commitments and responsibilities (of their working life) into another set in retirement. I have always embraced the phrase, "I'm free to be me" and I think that rings more true than ever in 'retirement'. And rather than the word 'retirement' I like 'the next phase of life'.
Contemplating my upcoming retirement, I have been looking at boards and volunteer options to supplement daily reading, writing and physical activity. Now, I’m rethinking that in favour of committing to less, at least for a while. What you describe is not typically planned for, but I have to say, it seems enticing. Thanks for sharing this - it’s making me think.
Jay, this was a great article for anyone like you contemplating retirement, for it should cause a pause for reflection on your life ahead. I relate to the article extremely well. My colleagues thought I could never retire and like you I at first looked for commitments to stay active and involved, but soon learned that commitments were too much like the 50 years of work. Retirement offers you the opportunity to do what you want when you want. Can’t do something today, well tomorrow is still there. Commitments rob you of that spontaneity. Work meant being regulated; whereas, I find retirement satisfying because that regulation is relegated to my previous life.
Loved this article. So much. My husband and I sold our company in 2018. It was a BUSY 25 yrs & I was sure I’d lean into something ‘to keep occupied.’ Instead, as the weeks became months I realized how programmed we are from the time we awaken each day. It took a good 2 years before I stopped grabbing my phone first thing in the morning … just to see if everything (and everyone) was alright.
We’ve travelled the world, sufficiently. I have no need of endless airport lineups & being crammed into an airplane with someone reclining their seat into my lap. So done with that. And I’ll definitely not do board work - had plenty of that through professional work & community orgs while raising our 3 daughters.
Instead we enjoy our home and yard which backs onto a park & water. Our adorable grandchildren, pets, books, following political shows and cooking keep us happily occupied. Quiet contentment - there’s so much for which to be grateful.
Like you, I, too, can be a performative extrovert, but no longer have to do it. There’s nothing to prove. And I’ll take this incredible gift and savor it daily.
I did what few do, and realized I had 'enough', enough to provide me with a middle class income for the rest of my life. So I quit the high bucks finance job at 44. House was paid for. Still earned some income, volunteered at various places, and am now drawing a pension (not CP) at 67, still fine. I feel no guilt about taking as long as I want reading the NP, putter in the garden, read, take walks, and, oops! don’t watch tv. You job isn’t your identity.
Congrats, Barbara.
A very appros and timely piece. I find myself enjoying more and more the days of unscheduled nothingness or what I refer to as “putsing around”. I yearn more for quiet days than those scheduled and, yes, prioritizing keeping the “old man” at bay. Thanks for writing this … now to enjoy my hot morning coffee and contemplate how un-busy I can be today :-)
Perhaps distant years will see us slowly strolling around a piazza with our hands clasped behinds our backs - like a couple old Italian dudes, with nothing more urgent to do than talk about the weather.
Those of us who have "retired" successfully can relate to your well expressed "Personal Story". Getting off that spinning "merry-go-round" driven by a world that seeks to squeeze and conform us into its mould can become a new opportunity to pause, re-group and re-discover our unique personal identity. What a gift!
Glad you enjoyed the piece, Olivia. Sounds like "to thine own self be true" has run true for you.
Kindred spirits.
Same exit, no plans, no performing, no social media.
The best response I’ve ever seen to the all too frequent question “What do you do with your time?” is “I dunno, but it takes all day.”
I do play outside in nature a LOT. Playing outside. keeping active and healthy makes savoring and celebrating this freedom possible.
Fantastic response to the question, Emma. I may sneak that into my repertoire, with thanks.
Love that response. I find myself immediately defensive when it gets asked and I need to develop tools to respond.
This is an excellent article that I greatly enjoyed reading.
I think we are exact opposites. I retired at age 75 after approximately 50 years of practising law. I was having so much fun that I retired with some trepidation. What could replace practising law? There is no single answer, but I have found several. Grandchildren. Friends old and new. Wildlife photography trips with my wife in Antarctica and the Arctic. Moving from Toronto to the West Coast and building a new home in a rural area. Writing a blog. Still reading a bit of law and writing about it. At age 82, walking up and down hills daily, and working out with weights. And of course, reading Substacks, including the Pragmatic Canadian.
That is fantastic, Andrew. Sounds like you've built yourself a wonderful life and continued it into retirement. All the best.
This is a great article. I think many who retire just trade one set of commitments and responsibilities (of their working life) into another set in retirement. I have always embraced the phrase, "I'm free to be me" and I think that rings more true than ever in 'retirement'. And rather than the word 'retirement' I like 'the next phase of life'.
Excellent perspective. Thanks for the comment.
Contemplating my upcoming retirement, I have been looking at boards and volunteer options to supplement daily reading, writing and physical activity. Now, I’m rethinking that in favour of committing to less, at least for a while. What you describe is not typically planned for, but I have to say, it seems enticing. Thanks for sharing this - it’s making me think.
Jay, this was a great article for anyone like you contemplating retirement, for it should cause a pause for reflection on your life ahead. I relate to the article extremely well. My colleagues thought I could never retire and like you I at first looked for commitments to stay active and involved, but soon learned that commitments were too much like the 50 years of work. Retirement offers you the opportunity to do what you want when you want. Can’t do something today, well tomorrow is still there. Commitments rob you of that spontaneity. Work meant being regulated; whereas, I find retirement satisfying because that regulation is relegated to my previous life.
Nice feedback Allen. Completely agree with your sentiments.
Good luck with things, Jay. If this was able to help a bit with your thinking process, that's very gratifying. Appreciate the feedback.
“Pleasantly occupied”. I just love that.
I love your piece. . . Thanks for a really good read.
You're welcome, Sandra. Hoping to do another retirement article in a while, but busy with political stories at the moment.
Loved this article. So much. My husband and I sold our company in 2018. It was a BUSY 25 yrs & I was sure I’d lean into something ‘to keep occupied.’ Instead, as the weeks became months I realized how programmed we are from the time we awaken each day. It took a good 2 years before I stopped grabbing my phone first thing in the morning … just to see if everything (and everyone) was alright.
We’ve travelled the world, sufficiently. I have no need of endless airport lineups & being crammed into an airplane with someone reclining their seat into my lap. So done with that. And I’ll definitely not do board work - had plenty of that through professional work & community orgs while raising our 3 daughters.
Instead we enjoy our home and yard which backs onto a park & water. Our adorable grandchildren, pets, books, following political shows and cooking keep us happily occupied. Quiet contentment - there’s so much for which to be grateful.
Like you, I, too, can be a performative extrovert, but no longer have to do it. There’s nothing to prove. And I’ll take this incredible gift and savor it daily.
Great feedback, Ruth, thanks.
"Quiet contentment" and "performative extrovert" - I may reuse both terms.